Note: This article originally appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Oct. 1, 2008
There's nothing like defending your home turf in a playoff-type atmosphere.
Just ask John Danks, Jim Thome and A.J. Pierzynski. Each of them stood tall and strong in...

Chris Heston pitched the first no-hitter in the majors this season in his 13th career start, leading the San Francisco Giants over the New York Mets 5-0 Tuesday night.
The rookie allowed three baserunners — all on hit batters. He also had a two-run...

PHOENIX — The Mets made the first big move of the general managers meetings Monday, signing veteran outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year deal, reportedly for $21 million.
Cuddyer, 35, turned down the Rockies' $15.3 million qualifying offer, meaning...

Paul Konerko had many great memories in a White Sox uniform, and another famous one wearing street clothes during the victory parade in 2005.
As the Sox great's career is winding down to a Sept. 28 finale, here's a compilation of Konerko's Top 10...

Fans in St. Louis have it easy. They're merely conflicted about who to blame for Albert Pujols' departure. The feelings of many Twins fans are much more awkward. Everyone loves Joe Mauer, don't they? But business is business, and the hometown icon has...

In a season of record-high home runs and strikeouts along with record-low complete games, there were some constants in Major League Baseball: Houston's Jose Altuve and a Colorado Rockies player won batting titles. There were 6,105 home runs hit in the...

Hall of Fame slugger Frank Thomas said Sunday he hopes Gabe Kapler remains in the Dodgers' front office rather than becomes the team's manager.
"I think he's better suited for being a general manager than a field manager," Thomas said.
Thomas worked...

Shortly after the Dodgers’ victory in Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Saturday, Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez took to the airwaves and expressed what many of his colleagues were saying online and on social media.
He seemed angry....

The Dodgers can only hope there is no play as comical Friday as there was the last time they opened a postseason series against the New York Mets.
In the first game of the 2006 division series, the Dodgers had Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew thrown out at home...

Thousands of Mets fans chanted David Wright's name as he wrapped up an on-field interview and headed back toward the sloshy clubhouse. He paused to wave and soak in the moment. The team captain wasn't sure he'd ever do this again, not with that last...

NEW YORK The Braves produced what for them was a rarity, a two-homer, four-run inning that provided Matt Wisler with a three-run lead against the Mets, a team that brings out the best in the rookie pitcher. Wisler was impressive and got solid...

Out with a serious back injury for much of the season, David Wright is enjoying every minute of the New York Mets' dominating stretch run. Even better, the team captain is contributing to its success. Wright had a go-ahead double in the seventh inning,...

Three scintillating comebacks and a pivotal sweep in Washington. Yoenis Cespedes and the surprising New York Mets are in firm control of the NL East. Cespedes hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning moments after pinch-hitter Kelly Johnson connected for...

Boston Red Sox closer Koji Uehara will miss the rest of the season because of a broken right wrist.
Uehara was hit by a line drive off the bat of Ian Kinsler on the final out of Friday night's game against the Detroit Tigers. The Red Sox right-hander...

This is shaping up to be a big week for the Orioles.
Executive vice president Dan Duquette was named the Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year on Monday night at the general managers' meetings in Phoenix. The winner of the award was decided by 33 front...

Several of Major League Baseball's heavy hitters were transformed into indiscriminate memorabilia dealers Monday night, and Yoenis Cespedes made the biggest hit among fans attending the major league home run derby at Citi Field in Flushing, N.Y.
The...

Following Chris Davis’ 37th homer on Sunday in the Orioles’ final game before the All-Star break, online sportsbook Bovada now has the first baseman listed as the betting favorite for tonight’s Home Run Derby.
Bovada currently gives Davis 11-to-4 odds of...

The distance between the frontyard of Ricky and David Nolasco's boyhood home in Rialto and the mound at Dodger Stadium is best measured in dreams.
"Pitching at Dodger Stadium, that's it," David says, "that's all we ever talked about."
As a...